Published on 28 September 2022

Taking Ambien And Adderall Together Is It Safe?

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Ambien is a non-benzodiazepine indicated for treating insomnia in adults. Although Ambien can be used to treat sleep disorders, drug misuse is very likely. Many people crush and then snort Ambien to intensify any possibly euphoric effects.

Adderall is a prescription drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Narcolepsy is another condition used to treat Adderall. Adderall is mainly employed as a stimulant.
Is it okay to take Ambien and Adderall together? What are the dangers of mixing Ambien and Adderall? Let us see this in detail.

What is Ambien?

In 1988, France introduced zolpidem as a short-term insomnia medication. First marketed in the United States in 1993, Zolpidem (Ambien) is the most widely prescribed and used hypnotic drug in most countries.

Zolpidem has a variety of other behavioral and neuropharmacological effects. These include anticonvulsant actions, discriminative stimulus properties, anxiolytic-like results, and actions on learning and memory.

Uses of Ambien

  • Indicated for the treatment of insomnia
  • Used to treat neurological conditions, relieve stress and migraine headaches

How Does Ambien Work?

In sections of the brain that control sedation and sleep/wakefulness, zolpidem binds to the alpha-1 subunit of the amino butyric acid-A receptor, which decreases neuronal activity across a wide range of brain regions. It increases the action of the neurotransmitter GABA and has calming and hypnotic effects by lowering neuronal excitability.

What is Adderall?

One of the stimulants most frequently prescribed is Adderall to treat symptoms of ADHD. It is also often used recreationally by people who do not have ADHD, garnering Adderall a reputation for abuse and addiction.

It is a Schedule II controlled substance, indicating a high risk of misuse, dependence, and addiction.

The chemical substance known by the brand name Adderall is composed of potent mixtures of the amphetamine salts dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine, which are isomers of the original amphetamine molecule and come in a 3:1 ratio.

Uses of Adderall

  • It comes in short-acting (Adderall) and long-acting (Adderall XR) dosage forms.
  • First-choice treatment option for ADHD. In addition, it helps people with narcolepsy stay more awake during the day.
  • The short-acting Adderall (FDA-approved) treats ADHD and narcolepsy.
  • The long-acting form is indicated for ADHD only.

How Does Adderall Work?

Adderall increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, increasing alertness and attention in those with ADHD. However, when taken in excess, Adderall can make people feel euphoric due to the chemical changes it causes in the brain.

Blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin is the main action of Adderall in treating ADHD symptoms. The strength of dextroamphetamine in Adderall significantly and quickly raises levels of monoamine neurotransmitters in the synapse. And this reduces signs of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

What Happens When You Take Ambien And Adderall Together?

Users who combine amphetamines with depressants may experience euphoria before an overdose. Combining both drug classes could harm the heart because stimulants raise the heart rate while depressants lower it. The heart receives conflicting signals, leading to dysrhythmias or cardiac failure.

People who take Ambien and Adderall experience drug interactions. The everyday interactions are tremors and somnolence in females and tardive dyskinesia and anxiousness in males. The phase IV clinical trial examines the interactions between Adderall and Ambien users.

According to eHealthMe, based on reports of 2,191 people who take Ambien and Adderall from the FDA, and is updated regularly.

Common Ambien and Adderall Interactions Reports:

  • Abdominal discomfort: 33 reports
  • Agitation: 33 reports
  • Akathisia (a movement disorder characterized by a feeling of inner restlessness): 5 reports
  • Alopecia (absence of hair from areas of the body): 25 reports
  • Anxiety: 252 reports
  • Arrhythmia: 27 reports
  • Bach pain: 69 reports
  • Blood pressure - high: 79 reports
  • Breathing difficulty: 65 reports
  • Cardiac arrest: 7 reports
  • Chest pain: 52 reports
  • Constipation: 60 reports
  • Diarrhea: 77 reports
  • Dizziness: 72 reports
  • Drowsiness: 82 reports
  • Headache: 109 reports
  • Impaired memory: 105 reports
  • Itchiness: 35 reports
  • Lightheadedness: 72 reports
  • Nausea and vomiting: 67 reports
  • Shortness of breath: 65 reports
  • Somnolence: 82 reports
  • Tachycardia 27 reports
  • Tardive dyskinesia (a disorder that involves involuntary movements): 8 reports
  • Tremors: 34 reports
  • Upset stomach: 41 reports
  • Urinary tract infection: 34 reports
  • Vertigo: 72 reports
  • Weakness: 102 reports
  • Weight gain: 93 reports
  • Weight loss -: 64 reports
  • Withdrawal syndrome: 20 reports

Side Effects Of Ambien And Adderall

Ambien side effects can range from mild ones like tiredness to more serious ones, including complicated sleep patterns, suicidal thoughts, and significant impairment the following day.

Mild side effects of Adderall could include anorexia, nausea, and insomnia. Emotional instability, psychological illnesses, and cardiovascular events are rare side effects of Adderall.

Consult your doctor if you experience any potential adverse effects of Adderall and Ambien.

Ambien Adderall
headache dry mouth
drowsiness dizziness
dizziness weight loss
muscle pain depression
memory loss anxiety

Why Do People Mix Amphetamines And Benzodiazepines?

  • Despite the common misconception that the effects of amphetamines and benzodiazepines cancel each other out, combining the two can be exceedingly harmful and even fatal. It could potentially lead to an overdose.
  • Amphetamines are a class of drugs known to improve alertness and attention. They are sometimes referred to as stimulants or "uppers."
  • Benzodiazepines, a class of depressants also called downers, have sedative, anti-anxiety, and muscle relaxant properties.
  • When used, uppers induce the brain to flood with dopamine and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters known to produce sensations of euphoria. In contrast to the effects of amphetamines, they have a relaxing effect on users.

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solutions

Because depressants slow the heart rate while stimulants speed it up, taking Ambien and Adderall together may affect the heart. Contrary to the widespread belief that the effects of benzodiazepines and amphetamines cancel each other out, mixing the two can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. An overdose might result from it.

Seek professional medical help if you discover yourself in a cycle of using benzodiazepines and amphetamines because attempting to break the pattern on your own could be risky owing to potential withdrawal symptoms. Always be aware of the possible effects of mixing the drugs.

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